How Messy is MY bedroom?

Elvis says..

For those of us with children, or who were once children ourselves with siblings, we can probably identify with the notion of pointing at others in an effort to avoid our own responsibility.

When mom or dad admonished us for the state of a messy bedroom, the urge to point to a siblings room and say, "But theirs is much messier than mine" is an attractive response - but clearly inappropriate.

And that urge continues as we enter adulthood.  Arguing with an officer over a speeding ticket by pointing at motorists who were going faster than we were with impunity seems to make abundant sense.

But it doesn't.

And as responsible adults, when we are parents or when we are not the ones receiving the ticket, we know that we are responsible for our own messes and it is no excuse to say that someone else's mess is worse.

So it goes with politics.

The answer to many of our own current political dillemas cannot be "but they are worse."

Torture of prisoners.

Pollution of our environment.

Removal of fundamental human rights to oppose terrorists.

Why?  Because the failure to do so allows us to creap forward on that slippery slope from good towards evil.

As posted earlier, so often when we see evil being done in the world we find it easy to dismiss it by using concepts of "them" versus "us".

Does this sound vaguely "progressive"?  Maybe so.  But in my mind it is fundamentally conservative.  Because at it's core it obliges each of us to the highest standards of personal responsibility and independance.

It challenges each of us to do the right thing without the heavy hand of the state forcing us to do so.  When we ask for "less" government - the corresponding obligation is "more" individual responsibility.

So.

As we move forward into the new year, for those of us who consider ourselves conservative, one might suggest that we challenge ourselves to do our best to clean up our own rooms before we point to the mess in our brother's or sister's room.

If we believe, truly, that charity begins at home - then we had best demand of ourselves that we do our best to help our neighbor instead of waiting for the government to compel us to do so.  If we oppose costly, inefficient and high-handed government efforts to combat racism and discrimination - then we had best be prepared to take that responsibility into our own hands.  Treating our neighbors as equals regardless of their personal characteristics - and stand against those who do otherwise.

If we find ourselves frustrated with what we perceive as "ideologues" on the left listening and considering our point of view - begin first by listening to and understanding their point of view.  Better yet, perhaps seek to define our similarities and points of agreement before immediately attacking points of difference.

Consider that all of us would prefer a better world for our children.

Consider, at this time, whether you are Christian, Muslim or have no religious faith at all - the suggestion that each of us seek out to establish, "peace on earth, good will toward all men."

Best wishes to all this holiday season.